Haus zum Esslinger

Haus zum Esslinger is a building in Frankfurt's Old Town located at the northeastern corner of Hühnermarkt between Römerberg and Dom. It features late Gothic timber framing characteristics and serves as a museum today.

The building was first mentioned in 1320 and played a role in the early history of Frankfurt's Old Town. It was destroyed by heavy air raids in 1944 and reconstructed as part of the Dom-Römer Project after 2010.

The building houses the Struwwelpeter Museum since 2019, displaying works by Frankfurt doctor Heinrich Hoffmann whose children's book characters remain well-known today. Visitors can see the original illustrations and discover how a local physician became a literary figure.

The museum is centrally located in Frankfurt's Old Town, easily accessible from the well-known sights Römerberg and Dom. Visitors should note that the exhibition spaces are spread across several levels and upper floors are reached by stairs.

Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote about his experiences at this location in his autobiographical work Dichtung und Wahrheit, where his aunt Melber lived. This makes the building a setting in Frankfurt's literary history that visitors can still trace today.